2 game sets are a pain in the ass. They're like built-in splits (the last set at Colorado, however, should not be overlooked as an exception).
So, on Monday morning, I would have called a 2-2 week for the Giants. Now, after having been swept in Denver., that means that have to go up against Kershaw and Billingsley in LA and beat them both. Oh BTW, Giants team BA is under .240. Oh BTW, their teams leaders in homeruns are the back up left fielder and the third baseman that's been on the DL for 3 weeks. Oh BTW, after the Dodgers, they've face quality pitching staffs (Oakland, Florida) and 23 games in 24 days vs the NL Central and the Rockies again.
So, the goal has to be taking two in LA. And a maybe 14 wins over those next 23 games, just to hopefully stay relevant.
Kershaw is a pain in the ass, but everyone else seems to hit him, so WTF? Billingsley usually puts in 5 untouchable innings and then he breaks down. The Giants have to grind counts. They [u][b][i]HAVE TO GET TO THE BULLPEN[/u][/i][/b].
Cainer should get you 7 strong, and Bumgarner is on the precipice of win #1 (gotta come some time). Posey wants to hit for power (he's still hitting clean-up which is a mystery to me), and Torres came back on a terror.
No RBI's is their problem right now. The lineup is top heavy with OBP and Avg, and when you get to the black hole that is the 7-8-9 hitters, you're lucky if you got one in before someone hits into a double play.
So, freeking, frustrating,
Showing posts with label home run. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home run. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Game 41: Unreasonable, Giants lose 5-3
The Giants were swept in their 2 game set @ Colorado.
It is unreasonable to expect their pitchers to go out every start and protect a 3-run offensive output. Even the best pitchers need a spell. When your lead is always no more than 2 or 3, even one runner on base creates a high-stress situation. Eventually, that will wear on a guy.
Whereas a pitcher with 2 Cy Young awards (Timmy) or perhaps a pitcher that is regularly deified for his professional ethic and for carrying a subpar staff for the few years before it became sublime (Cain) probably can deal with such games with a plum. Those pitchers that are more emotionally fragile due to temperament (Sanchez), immaturity or inexperience (Bumgarner and maybe Vogelsong), or consistent scrutiny and criticism (Zito) are more apt to eventually collapse like a house of cards.
Without run support, this fantastic pitching staff is liable to fail and leave or fail and never recover.
On freaking notice:
It is unreasonable to expect their pitchers to go out every start and protect a 3-run offensive output. Even the best pitchers need a spell. When your lead is always no more than 2 or 3, even one runner on base creates a high-stress situation. Eventually, that will wear on a guy.
Whereas a pitcher with 2 Cy Young awards (Timmy) or perhaps a pitcher that is regularly deified for his professional ethic and for carrying a subpar staff for the few years before it became sublime (Cain) probably can deal with such games with a plum. Those pitchers that are more emotionally fragile due to temperament (Sanchez), immaturity or inexperience (Bumgarner and maybe Vogelsong), or consistent scrutiny and criticism (Zito) are more apt to eventually collapse like a house of cards.
Without run support, this fantastic pitching staff is liable to fail and leave or fail and never recover.
On freaking notice:
- Mark DeRosa (DFA today)
- Miguel Tejada (DFA today)
- Mike Fontenot (cannot be a regular starter)
- Power outage (Pablo Sandoval still has the team lead in HR's, despite missing the last 3 weeks w/ injury)
- Dan Runzler (AAA if he has options)
- Jeremy Affeldt (less of a role, please)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Game 17: Panda Bear in streaking, Giants win game/series 6-3
Only listened to the 1st inning, but heard Panda Bear go yard to put the Boys up 4-0.
Later Huffy went deep.
Somehow the Giants are on a roll. 4 out of 5 with a chance to sweep the invincible Rockies.
Sanchie pitched 2 hit ball w/ 4 BB over 6.1, Lopez pitched a perfect inning and Weezy got his 5th save.
The Boys are clicking early. What's more, Cainer's going tomorrow and they've got a legit shot at knocking those silly Rock Hoppers off their high perch early on. A series win is grand, a three game sweep is the start of streak for one team and a flop for the other team.
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Later Huffy went deep.
Somehow the Giants are on a roll. 4 out of 5 with a chance to sweep the invincible Rockies.
Sanchie pitched 2 hit ball w/ 4 BB over 6.1, Lopez pitched a perfect inning and Weezy got his 5th save.
The Boys are clicking early. What's more, Cainer's going tomorrow and they've got a legit shot at knocking those silly Rock Hoppers off their high perch early on. A series win is grand, a three game sweep is the start of streak for one team and a flop for the other team.
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Monday, April 18, 2011
Game 15: Poor defense coughs up lead, cool Giants' bats give D-Backs win in extras; 6-5
It's tough to win when you can only get 6 hits in 12 innings, and your starting pitcher gives up 8 hits and 4 runs in less than 7, but a Buster Posey game-tying blast and a Panda Bear following him directly with the go ahead gave the Giants ample opportunity to win.
Unfortunately, Miguel Tejada's spotty defense led to an extended 8th inning, and the D-Backs tied it up and then won in 12.
Miggy is not impressing me. The guy's got a decent cluthc potential, but a lot of times that clutch is making up for runs or baserunners that he gives up. Even in cases where defense extends the inning but doesn't lead to runs-scored: the extra pitches that a pitcher has to throw gives the other team that much more exposure to the pitcher.
Giants finish with 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs, their 3rd series win in a row. Tonight they head into Denver to play 3 vs the Rocks. This'll be where mettle is tested.
In other news: Zito'son the DL. Vogelsong will take his place in the ro-ro.
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Unfortunately, Miguel Tejada's spotty defense led to an extended 8th inning, and the D-Backs tied it up and then won in 12.
Miggy is not impressing me. The guy's got a decent cluthc potential, but a lot of times that clutch is making up for runs or baserunners that he gives up. Even in cases where defense extends the inning but doesn't lead to runs-scored: the extra pitches that a pitcher has to throw gives the other team that much more exposure to the pitcher.
Giants finish with 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs, their 3rd series win in a row. Tonight they head into Denver to play 3 vs the Rocks. This'll be where mettle is tested.
In other news: Zito'son the DL. Vogelsong will take his place in the ro-ro.
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Sunday, April 17, 2011
Game 14: Zito gets hurt just as he started making the game interesting, Giants win 5-3
Giants clinch the series with their 4th consecutive win Saturday night.
Buster hit a 2 run ding dong in the 1st, and the Giants jumped out to an early lead. But 2 runs is not a safe lead with Z on the mound and he promptly gave up 2 in the second (one on a Zito error).
2 batters after giving up the lead, Z lunged after a bunt back to the mound, came down funny on his right foot and sprained it.
Mota came in and pitched 1 run ball over the next 4.1. His longest outting ever.
Offensively, the Buster dinger might have been the lone highlight, especially after they hit into 5 double play over the 5 innings that followed Buster's blast.
But Fred doubled in Rowand in the 6th to tie the game at 3, then singled in a couple runs the next inning to put the Boys up for good.
Rowand got 3 hits. He seems to be hitting for average this year and might be making a claim to create more drama in the outfield. (or perhaps increasing his trade value) Rowand is 7 for his last 17 at bats in the last 4 games -- impressive enough, but then take into account that on Friday he was 0 for 5. Thusfar, Row-Waaand is hitting .359.
Belt might be climbing out of his start-of-the-career funk. A pinch hit last night put his average up to .217. About 60 points higher than this time last week.
The Boys are starting to play well, get on base. If only we could cut out the double plays -- Oh how frustrating. I would have rather won today over yesterday, so I guess they're just going to have to sweep the D-backs in their own house. Ha ha.
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Buster hit a 2 run ding dong in the 1st, and the Giants jumped out to an early lead. But 2 runs is not a safe lead with Z on the mound and he promptly gave up 2 in the second (one on a Zito error).
2 batters after giving up the lead, Z lunged after a bunt back to the mound, came down funny on his right foot and sprained it.
Mota came in and pitched 1 run ball over the next 4.1. His longest outting ever.
Offensively, the Buster dinger might have been the lone highlight, especially after they hit into 5 double play over the 5 innings that followed Buster's blast.
But Fred doubled in Rowand in the 6th to tie the game at 3, then singled in a couple runs the next inning to put the Boys up for good.
Rowand got 3 hits. He seems to be hitting for average this year and might be making a claim to create more drama in the outfield. (or perhaps increasing his trade value) Rowand is 7 for his last 17 at bats in the last 4 games -- impressive enough, but then take into account that on Friday he was 0 for 5. Thusfar, Row-Waaand is hitting .359.
Belt might be climbing out of his start-of-the-career funk. A pinch hit last night put his average up to .217. About 60 points higher than this time last week.
The Boys are starting to play well, get on base. If only we could cut out the double plays -- Oh how frustrating. I would have rather won today over yesterday, so I guess they're just going to have to sweep the D-backs in their own house. Ha ha.
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Friday, April 15, 2011
Game 13: Cainer pitches 6 strong, Panda goes yard, Giants win 5-2
Didn't watch the game tonight, checked in a bit on MLB.com and listened to the bottom of the 6th on the radio.
Panda Bear went yard in the 1st, which was nice because they had a couple runners on with 2 outs. It's nice to see the Boys clean up on a rally.
Cainer ran out of steam in the 6th, like right on top of his 100th pitch. Got a little harry there. Lopez and Wilson got a little drama going in the 9th too.
Looking at the box score: Tejada hit his 4th double on the year, knocked in Sandoval in the 3rd. Posey was 2 for 4. Cainer had another great outing. 6 IP, 4 hits 2 walks and only 1 run. He's 2-0 with an ERA under 1.5 and he is looking good.
Weez got save 3.
Tomorrow is the gravy game, if the Giants can pull a win, I'd expect them to sweep the series. If not, they should still pull out the last game and take momentum in Colorado.
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EDIT 10:43 p.m.
Just realized that Daniel Hudson had 10ks in 6 innings. Sheesh, talk about major whiffage.
Panda Bear went yard in the 1st, which was nice because they had a couple runners on with 2 outs. It's nice to see the Boys clean up on a rally.
Cainer ran out of steam in the 6th, like right on top of his 100th pitch. Got a little harry there. Lopez and Wilson got a little drama going in the 9th too.
Looking at the box score: Tejada hit his 4th double on the year, knocked in Sandoval in the 3rd. Posey was 2 for 4. Cainer had another great outing. 6 IP, 4 hits 2 walks and only 1 run. He's 2-0 with an ERA under 1.5 and he is looking good.
Weez got save 3.
Tomorrow is the gravy game, if the Giants can pull a win, I'd expect them to sweep the series. If not, they should still pull out the last game and take momentum in Colorado.
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EDIT 10:43 p.m.
Just realized that Daniel Hudson had 10ks in 6 innings. Sheesh, talk about major whiffage.
Road Trip Preview
Now that the season has "officially" begun, and now that there will be very few occasions for pre-game ceremonies or Sammy Hagar-worthy National Anthems, we can look at the Giants first legitimate road trip.
In-division road trips are never anything to scoff at, even if one of the locations is Phoenix versus the hapless D-Backs.
Their first destination, Phoenix, will be a decent test for the back end of the ro-ro. Whilst we all have enormous confidence in Cainer, Z and Bummy have been less-than-adequate in their first two starts. And the Diamondbacks love to take all of nothing swings. Cut down on the location mistakes, give 6 and let your lively bullpen arms blow hard cheese past the yuckadoos from Zona, the Giants should still take 2 out of 3.
The Rockies are another story. Whereas the Dodgers came out of the gate looking to show everyone that they are actually a quality team, especially now that they're Manny-free; the Rockies have no need to prove their worth. With a best-in-MLB 10-2 start, a 6 game winning streak, and home field advantage on their side, the Rocks are laying claim to the NL West throne.
Even with their best pitcher out for a bit, their hitting has pretty much cashed them in versus all opponents. Tulo's got 7 dingers, this Herrerra kid's hitting .458 and the team has scored 68 runs in 12 games.
The only condolence is that their current 7-1 streak (6-0 in the last 6) comprises itself on 2 4-game series vs the Mets and the Pirates. But, all 8 games were on the road.
The Giants will send Timmy, Sanchie, and Cainer against the Colorados, so we'll be praying for 2 ou of 3, and I foresee Cain pitching the rubber match.
Offensively, the boys are waking up, and the trip to the hot air and the thin air ought to spark Belt. If he scuffles ont his trip, he's definitely headed back to AAA.
In-division road trips are never anything to scoff at, even if one of the locations is Phoenix versus the hapless D-Backs.
Their first destination, Phoenix, will be a decent test for the back end of the ro-ro. Whilst we all have enormous confidence in Cainer, Z and Bummy have been less-than-adequate in their first two starts. And the Diamondbacks love to take all of nothing swings. Cut down on the location mistakes, give 6 and let your lively bullpen arms blow hard cheese past the yuckadoos from Zona, the Giants should still take 2 out of 3.
The Rockies are another story. Whereas the Dodgers came out of the gate looking to show everyone that they are actually a quality team, especially now that they're Manny-free; the Rockies have no need to prove their worth. With a best-in-MLB 10-2 start, a 6 game winning streak, and home field advantage on their side, the Rocks are laying claim to the NL West throne.
Even with their best pitcher out for a bit, their hitting has pretty much cashed them in versus all opponents. Tulo's got 7 dingers, this Herrerra kid's hitting .458 and the team has scored 68 runs in 12 games.
The only condolence is that their current 7-1 streak (6-0 in the last 6) comprises itself on 2 4-game series vs the Mets and the Pirates. But, all 8 games were on the road.
The Giants will send Timmy, Sanchie, and Cainer against the Colorados, so we'll be praying for 2 ou of 3, and I foresee Cain pitching the rubber match.
Offensively, the boys are waking up, and the trip to the hot air and the thin air ought to spark Belt. If he scuffles ont his trip, he's definitely headed back to AAA.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Game 12: Giants take 2 of 3 from Dodgers, .500 on the season, win 4-3
What a fun game. Buster got plunked twice, Bochy came out barking.
So nice to see the rivalry in mid-season form this early in the season.
Panda Bear hit the game-tying ding dong from the right side on a pitch at his hands that he would've never gotten around on a year and fifty pounds ago.
Fontenot hits the game winner.
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So nice to see the rivalry in mid-season form this early in the season.
Panda Bear hit the game-tying ding dong from the right side on a pitch at his hands that he would've never gotten around on a year and fifty pounds ago.
Fontenot hits the game winner.
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Friday, April 8, 2011
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